Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sinn Féin will hold a selection convention for the Cork North Central constituency tonight at 7.30 at the party offices in Barrack Street.

Cllr Jonathan O’Brien, who is seeking a nomination from the convention, said:

“I will be putting my name forward for selection and am hoping to be endorsed by my colleagues tonight.

“Sinn Féin will be fighting to win at the next election in Cork North Central. We are the party best positioned to take a seat from Fianna Fáil and give a strong, left-wing voice to the people of Cork’s Northside.”

“The next election will give people an opportunity to give its verdict on the Government’s handling of the economy and on its plans to cut €3billion out of the economy, primarily from the pockets of those who can least afford it.

“Both Fine Gael and Labour share the Government’s view that €3billion or more needs to be cut from the economy. Sinn Féin is the only party offering an alternative that would see us stimulating the economy rather than contracting it. We are the only party that wants to overhaul the taxation system to ensure everybody pays according to their ability to pay and that we finally rid ourselves of tax loopholes that deny us millions every year.

“We want to protect the most vulnerable in society while others look to them first to pay for the economic mess.”

“We have been screaming jobs, jobs, jobs for the last two years while the Government has been focussed on bailing out zombie banks. Both Labour and Fine Gael have belatedly got the message that the economy needs employment but the Government parties have yet to catch on.

“Sinn Féin is offering a real alternative. We offer a better and fairer way our of recession.

“We will go into the next election with confidence. We are in it to win it.”

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The numbers on the housing list in Cork City could reach 10,000 by the end of the year – and City Hall will face a series of protests unless the council takes radical action to tackle the housing crisis. This is according to Sinn Féin Councillor Chris O’Leary, who spoke at a well attended meeting on the issue at Mahon Community Centre last night.

The meeting was the second in a series of public meetings organised by Cork Sinn Féin. Cllr O’Leary said:

“The waiting list for housing continues to soar. On current trends, there will be 10,000 families on the list by November. Radical action is needed to deal with this ongoing crisis. Sinn Féin is calling for some of the 300,000 vacant dwellings across the state to be purchased at cost price and either allocated to social housing tenants or sold off cheaply to home buyers. Many of these dwellings come under NAMA and these should be the first to be made available for social housing.”

“Last year the government paid out €500 million in rent supplement to private landlords. If the 100,000 people on the waiting list were housed they would be paying rent to local authorities instead. Our proposals could actually save the government money.”

“Currently there are 37 local authority houses vacant in Mahon. In addition, large numbers of private dwellings are vacant in the Mahon area at locations like Eden and Jacobs Island. Meanwhile people are waiting up to seven years or more to be housed. We want all these dwellings to be made available immediately to those who need housing.”

“This is the second public meeting on housing I have spoken at within the past two weeks. The frustration of those spending years on the housing list, and facing bureaucratic stonewalling and delay from council officials, is the same all over the city. Unless radical action is forthcoming from the council, within a fortnight we will be looking for your support to take this campaign directly to the housing office in City Hall with the first of a series of protests.”

The next meeting will take place in the Glen Resource Centre on Wednesday 20th October.

City Hall Threatened With Protests Over Housing ListThe numbers on the housing list in Cork City could reach 10,000 by the end of the year – and City Hall will face a series of protests unless the council takes radical action to tackle the housing crisis. This is according to Sinn Féin Councillor Chris O’Leary, who spoke at a well attended meeting on the issue in Mahon last night.

Speaking at the second in a series of public meetings organised by Cork Sinn Féin, Cllr O’Leary said:

“The waiting list for housing continues to soar. On current trends, there will be 10,000 families on the list by November. Radical action is needed to deal with this ongoing crisis. Sinn Féin is calling for some of the 300,000 vacant dwellings across the state to be purchased at cost price and either allocated to social housing tenants or sold off cheaply to home buyers. Many of these dwellings come under NAMA and these should be the first to be made available for social housing.”

“Meanwhile the City Council must get its own act together and implement a series of motions which the Sinn Féin council team have already secured agreement on – including the establishment of a transparent housing list, a charter for council service users, and a facility for tenants waiting for emergency maintenance to carry out the work themselves and have the cost deducted from their rent.”

“This is the second public meeting on housing I have spoken at within the past two weeks. The anger expressed here from the floor, and the determination to force City Hall to change, were mirrored at Togher Community Centre ten days ago. The frustration of those spending years on the housing list, and facing bureaucratic stonewalling and delay from council officials, is the same all over the city. Unless radical action is forthcoming from the council, within a fortnight we will be looking for your support to take this campaign directly to the housing office in City Hall with the first of a series of protests.”

The next meeting will take place in the Glen Resource Centre on Wednesday 20th October.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The City Manager last night agreed to a call from Cllr Chris O’Leary that the council introduce a charter guaranteeing basic standards of service for members of the public. Sinn Féin gathered several thousand signatures supporting its call for such a charter on the streets of Cork in the past few weeks.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“I am delighted the Manager has agreed to include a customer service charter in the new corporate plan due in January. City Council exists to provide a service to the people of Cork, and that service should be of the highest standard. Courtesy, basic respect for people and prompt service cost nothing and are the least that members of the public are entitled to. Unfortunately, what many of them encounter instead is a labyrinthine and unresponsive bureaucracy. This is particularly the case for those with queries regarding housing.”

“Last night I placed a motion before the council calling for it to implement a rights-based Service Charter setting out minimum standards for how local authority service users are treated. This includes queries to council officials being answered promptly, the right to know who you are dealing with, and complaints being resolved quickly and efficiently.”

“In response the Manager agreed to introduce a Charter and suggested the upcoming corporate plan, due to be completed and brought forward to council by January, would be the perfect occasion to introduce it.”

“I look forward to seeing the council’s draft service charter in a couple of months. This is a progressive decision which will be welcomed by everyone who uses the council’s services on a regular basis.”

Monday, September 27, 2010

Cork Sinn Féin’s housing campaign continues to gather momentum, with a public meeting in Mahon Community Centre on Tuesday evening aiming to build on the successful first meeting in Togher. Local councillor Chris O’Leary today called on all those affected by the failure of the council’s housing policy in the Mahon area and beyond to turn up tomorrow night and join the campaign.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“The council’s housing policy is not working, and it is time for those people worst affected by its failure to come together and change the system. Two weeks ago I spoke at a well-attended public meeting on this issue in Togher. I expect tomorrow’s meeting at Mahon Community Centre to be equally well supported, and I encourage everyone in the Mahon area and beyond who has been affected by the failure of the council’s policies to turn up and join the campaign for change.”

“There are over 8,000 families on the waiting list for social housing in Cork City. Meanwhile there are an estimated 300,000 vacant houses across the state. This represents a shocking waste of resources in the face of dire need.”

“Everyone should have access to good quality housing at an affordable price. However this is not possible for tens of thousands of people in our city. At the core of the problem is government policy, which has been to gradually withdraw from social housing provision and let the market provide.”

“Sinn Féin wants to see the central role in housing policy given back to local authorities. Local government should be given adequate funding to tackle the waiting lists and improve maintenance. Vacant dwellings in the control of NAMA should be made available to those on the social housing list. Councils should also be empowered to provide genuinely affordable housing for sale in the open market.”

“For this to happen there needs to be a change in government policy. In the meantime there is a lot the council can do by itself. Sinn Féin wants to see a transparent, points based housing list so everyone knows where they are placed and why decisions are taken. We want tenants whose homes need maintenance to be able to carry out the work themselves and have the cost deducted from their rent. We are looking for a charter of rights for tenants to guarantee them a basic level of service from the council.”

“In the coming weeks Sinn Féin will be ratcheting up this campaign even further with a series of direct actions targeting those most responsible for the council’s failed housing policies. Details of these actions will be announced at Tuesday’s meeting, which will take place at Mahon Community Centre at 7.30pm.”

Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald said:"The An Phoblacht School aims to be a space for exchanging and debating ideas, for discussing issues of culture, language, history as well as economics and current affairs.We want to foster a debate about advancing an alternative vision for Ireland – the theme of this year’s event is ‘Time to change Ireland’.This year’s event will see debates on the all-Ireland economy, the future of the Gaeltacht and the type of positive changes that can and need to be brought about in this country".

Friday, September 17, 2010

City Council Put on Notice – Change is OverdueNearly 80 people turned up in Togher Community Centre last night for the first in a series of public meeting on housing which Sinn Féin is holding across the city.

Speaking at the meeting, local councillor Henry Cremin said:

“Tonight we are putting the council on notice that change is overdue. Housing policy is broken, and we cannot wait any longer for it to be fixed. Council tenants and those on the social housing list are being denied basic respect. People must wait years for a house, wait for maintenance, wait even for the common courtesy of a reply to their queries from the housing officials in City Hall.”

“After tonight, we will be holding further meetings like this across the city and organising a series of protests at City Hall. We are committed to this campaign, committed to getting people their rights, and we are in it for the long haul.”

“There are over 8,000 families on the waiting list for social housing in Cork City. Meanwhile there are an estimated 300,000 vacant houses across the state. More than one in six private houses built is vacant. We are calling for these vacant houses to be made available to the people who need social housing.”

“For this to happen there needs to be a change in government policy. In the meantime there is a lot the council can do by itself. Sinn Féin wants to see a transparent, points based housing list so everyone knows where they are placed and why decisions are taken. We want tenants whose homes need maintenance to be able to carry out the work themselves and have the cost deducted from their rent. We are looking for a charter of rights for tenants to guarantee them a basic level of service from the council.”

Many of the large crowd indicated they were on the housing list or waiting for maintenance requests or transfers. Speakers from the floor expressed their frustration with the endless delays and with their treatment by City Council. Council officials were invited to attend the meeting but failed to turn up.

The next meeting will take place in Mahon Community Centre on Tuesday 28th September at 7.30pm.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Unite to Change the System – Sinn Féin Launches a Series of Public Meetings highlighting it's Housing Campaign.

"Housing policy in Cork City is not working, and it is time for the people most affected by its failure to unite and change the system". This was the message from Sinn Fein’s Cllr Henry Cremin today as he announced details of the first in a series of public meetings the party is holding on housing across the city. This will take place in Togher Community Centre at 7.30pm this Thursday night.

Cllr Cremin stated:

“The council’s housing policy is not working. There are over 8,000 families on the waiting list for social housing in Cork City. Much of the existing social housing stock in the city is of poor standard with people waiting years for maintenance. Meanwhile there are an estimated 300,000 vacant houses across the state. More than one in six private houses built remain vacant. Many of these ghost estates are situated in Cork City and County. This represents a shocking waste of resources in the face of dire need.”

“Everyone should be able to access good quality housing at an affordable price. However this is not possible for tens of thousands of people in our city. At the core of the problem is government policy, which has been to gradually withdraw from social housing provision and let the market provide. But the market has failed. The past ten years have seen the inflation of a massive housing bubble which put house prices beyond the means of many first time buyers, followed by a property crash that devastated the construction sector and has thrown tens of thousands on the dole. The credit crunch also means that many potential home buyers are being denied mortgages.”

“Sinn Féin wants to see the central role in housing policy given back to local authorities. Local government should be given adequate funding to tackle the waiting lists and improve maintenance. Vacant dwellings in the control of NAMA should be made available to those on the social housing list. Councils should also be empowered to provide genuinely affordable housing for sale in the open market.”

“For this to happen there needs to be a change in government policy. In the meantime there is a lot the council can do by itself. Sinn Féin wants to see a transparent, points based housing list so everyone knows where they are placed and why decisions are taken. We want tenants whose homes need maintenance to be able to carry out the work themselves and have the cost deducted from their rent. We are looking for a charter of rights for tenants to guarantee them a basic level of service from the council.”

“Thursday’s meeting is about mobilising the people most affected by the failures of housing policy to demand change. It is about communities uniting to make a difference. I hope we will have a good turnout from the residents of Togher, as well as others across the city who have witnessed at first hand the failures of the council’s housing policy. This campaign is only beginning. In the coming weeks and months we will be carrying our message into communities and housing estates right around Cork.”

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

We are starting the game again this Saturday, remember you pick a team from this weekends fixtures, if you team wins you stay in but the trick is you have to pick a different team to win every week, the 'Last Man Standing' wins the prize ,generally half the pot so get your first selection in! Just €10 entry as usual..remember our last winner took €450!

Sinn Féin’s group leader on Cork City Council, Jonathan O’Brien, today set out the party’s priorities for the new council term. He was speaking after himself and his colleagues Cllrs Chris O’Leary, Henry Cremin, Thomas Gould and Fiona Kerins held a meeting with the incoming City Manager at which they discussed a range of issues affecting the city.

Cllr Jonathan O’Brien stated: “Over the past year Sinn Féin has established itself as the opposition on Cork City Council. While other parties are content to divvy up places on committees and collect their expenses, want to change the system and make the council more responsive to the needs of the people it is meant to serve.” “In July we launched our housing campaign, “Let’s End the Wait”, demanding quality, affordable housing for all. As part of that campaign we published a policy document outlining a series of measures which the council could implement to cut social housing lists and improve the conditions of tenants.

These included introducing a transparent, points based housing list, providing a charter of rights for tenants, and allowing tenants carry out emergency maintenance and deduct the cost from their rent. We also called for properties in NAMA to be handed over to the council and given to those on the housing list or sold at an affordable price. That campaign continues through the autumn with a series of public meetings in all wards of the city, and we will keep up the pressure in the council chamber until housing policy is changed.”

“Protecting services is also a priority for Sinn Féin. The public refuse service and the city car parks are threatened with privatisation. This would result in less choice and higher prices for service users, as well as putting jobs at risk. We will stand against any attempt to privatise council services, as well as against the threatened imposition of water charges. This will inform our approach to the estimates. Ordinary workers and householders cannot be made pay for the disastrous mistakes of a few. While the council needs to cut costs, we should trim the fat of conference fees and junkets rather than targeting services that ordinary people depend on.” “The way the council works needs to change as well. In this day and age it is no longer tolerable for a cosy cartel to divvy up positions and take decisions behind closed doors. Council must be more open and transparent.

We want the estimates process to involve consultation with and a meaningful input from all the elected members. We want the public to be assured of the best possible service from the council. We want councillors to be able to divert their conference fees to useful projects in their wards, such as traffic-calming measures or community sports grants.”

“With five city councillors, Cork Sinn Féin goes into this council term stronger than ever before. We are determined to use that strength to make a difference – to reform housing policy, protect services and make local government more accountable.” For further information contact Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907.

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary last night called on the city manager to come clean regarding plans to privatise local services. He was speaking after the manager failed to answer a question he posed about the council’s plans for the future of local services including the city car parks, refuse service, housing maintenance, and water supply. Cllr O’Leary stated:

“In the wake of the county council’s decision to sell of its waste collection service, there is growing concern that the city council will embark on a programme of privatising local services to raise funds. The response from the city manager tonight will have done nothing to reassure either council employees or the people who use these services that this is not the case.” “The failure of the manager to answer the detailed points put in my question will simply fuel suspicions that the council is already moving to withdraw from direct service provision in the city.

It is interesting that he stated that the council was not in negotiations “in the strict sense” about the privatisation of services while later saying he would examine outsourcing the management of a range of services to the private sector.” “Privatisation is not the answer to revenue shortages. It will place jobs at risk and cost the city and the consumer more in the long term. Sinn Féin is completely opposed to the dismantling of public services whether it is in the form of outright privatisation or disguised as outsourcing.”

“The manager needs to be upfront with the city’s democratically elected representatives about his plans.” For further information contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307.

Cork City Council last night passed a motion by Sinn Féin councillor Fiona Kerins setting out its opposition to any proposal to introduce domestic water charges.

Welcoming the council’s decision, Cllr Kerins said: “We all recognise that clean water is a precious resource that costs money to produce but this is already paid for through general taxation. Introducing an extra charge is a regressive form of double taxation. “The Government and the Green Party in particular are trying to bring in this charge in the guise that it is a measure to help preserve water. Yet government officials have admitted that metering will only reduce household water consumption by 16%. Meanwhile up to 40% of all treated water is being lost through leaking pipes and poor infrastructure. For anybody who was genuinely concerned to preserve water, fixing our leaking pipes should take precedence over wasting millions of euros fitting water meters to households.

“But of course the introduction of water charges is not about preserving water. It is about targeting already hard pressed households for additional revenue streams for Government, while businesses who already owe almost €30 million in water charges to local authorities are not being pursued for payment. “The Government should be focussed on fixing our crumbling water infrastructure while educating people about the importance of water preservation and assisting in the introduction of water saving technologies. This would not only be the most sensible approach but the best and most fair way to preserve water. For further information contact Cllr Fiona Kerins @ 085-1091758.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O’Brien is to seek clarification from the incoming City Manager about the future of the public refuse service.

Cllr O’Brien said:

“There is increasing concern about the future of the public refuse service in Cork. A number of employees have approached me recently to express their fears that the council may shortly move to privatise this service. This comes only weeks after the sell-off by the county council of its refuse collection service to Country Clean.”

“Cork City needs a public refuse service. Thousands of low-income families across the city depend on the waiver scheme. Council workers are anxious about the future of their jobs. It is also important that there is public competition to ensure waste collection does not become the monopoly of one or two private companies. When refuse charges were introduced Sinn Féin argued that they were the first step to privatisation. Unfortunately it looks like we are being proved right.”

“Rather than selling off the service, and leaving thousands of people who receive a waver with additional bills, the council should be lobbying government for a risk-equalisation scheme whereby private operators would contribute towards the cost of the waiver. This would ensure the viability of the service into the future, protecting jobs and low-income families.”

“At Monday’s council meeting I will be asking the City Manager to clarify his intentions about the future of the service.”